Overflowing Joy

Overflowing Joy

Lots of things bring me joy. Seeing my children thrive, personal success, and the realization of long-held dreams bring joy. A sunny day, the perfect cup of tea, and milk chocolate delight. But if I only pursue the kind of joy found in circumstances and preference, I will miss out on a greater joy produced by the Spirit.

Calm Delight

The particular joy mentioned in Galatians 5 is “joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.” It’s the same joy the wise men felt as they saw the star that led them to Jesus (Matt 2:10). It’s the joy of the person who hears the Word and receives it (Matt 13:20). It’s the joy of the man purchasing the field with the hidden treasure (Matt 13:44). It is the joy of the Master over the servant faithful with little (Matt 25:21). It’s the joy the woman felt in hearing Christ is risen (Matt 28:8). It’s the joy in heaven when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7). It is the joy of the disciples when they saw the risen Jesus (Luke 24:41) and the overflow of their hearts after Christ’s ascension (Luke 24:52). It’s the joy found in the Holy Spirit in the Kingdom of God (Rom 14:17). It’s a filling from God that produces hope (Rom 15:13).

The Source of Joy

The type of joy the Spirit produces in the heart of a believer has little to do with favourable circumstances or pleasure. It overflows from a regenerated heart no matter the conditions because Christ is the source of this joy. That means my joy is not tied to what the future holds, how my kids do or don’t behave, or whether I reach my personal goals. My joy is secure if my heart is fixed on God. If the churches in Macedonia can be filled with an abundance of joy despite extreme poverty and severe affliction, if the Thessalonians received the word in much affliction with joy (2 Cor 8:2, 1 Thess 1:6), so can I.

This is the joy James calls me to count during trials (James 1:2). It makes me pray that although I have not seen Christ, I will love Him. Though I do not now see Him, I believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of my faith, the salvation of my soul (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Finding Joy

Finding Joy

One year, for our daughter’s birthday, we hid envelopes of cash around our house, but we didn’t tell her where they were. She had to solve increasingly difficult riddles to find them. It didn’t matter how long she had to hunt and it didn’t matter how difficult the puzzle, she was determined to persevere because the reward was worth it. As we watched her, my husband and I took tremendous pleasure in her delight as she completed each challenge.

Joy can be like those prizes hidden in envelopes. It can linger just beyond reach camouflaged by increasingly difficult and puzzling circumstances. But once we learn that there is a prize hidden behind each trial, it changes everything. In James 1:1-18, James challenges his fellow believers to consider it pure joy when they face trials. He encourages them to be diligent because the reward is worth it.

Joy can be like prizes hidden in envelopes. It can linger just beyond reach camouflaged by increasingly difficult and puzzling circumstances. But once we learn that there is a prize hidden behind each trial, it changes everything.

Counting Trials As Joy (v1-4)

Life holds many certainties for every person. For example:

  • Every person has a birth date. 
  • Every person needs oxygen to breathe. 
  • Every person will consume food for nourishment. 

James adds our experiences with trials to this list of certainties. 

  • Every person will face trials.

James writes in verse 2, “whenever they face trials” (NASB) or “when they face trials” (ESV). Trials are not an if; they are a when

On the surface, James’ instruction to count trials and the testing of our faith as joy makes little sense until James’ explains. He writes in verse 3 that the testing of faith, the developing of perseverance, and perseverance finishing its work will make us mature and complete lacking in nothing, enabling us to receive the prize.

Winning the Prize (v5-12)

Like our daughter needed wisdom to solve her riddles, we need God’s wisdom to persevere in trials. James writes that we are to ask in faith for wisdom. In faith means believing that God will provide what we need, understanding that may not be what we want.

Had our daughter complained the riddles were too hard and given up after finding one or two envelopes, she would have missed out on the complete prize. Similarly, without godly wisdom, we might survive our trials, but it might be with an inward focus, full of complainants, causing bitterness to grow. I need wisdom from God because I don’t merely desire to survive my trial, I want to endure my suffering in such a way that I earn the prize that matters: the crown of life (v12). 

If you’re reading this, you have a birth date. Like trials, physical birth is a certainty for every living person. But there is another kind of birth that leads to life.

James describes two births in verse 15-18. Temptation is the origin of birth one. We are tempted by our evil desires, dragged away, and enticed. After desire is conceived, this temptation gives birth to sin, and this sin, when it is full gown, gives birth to death (v15)—our sin births death.

The second birth is the new life God grants a person when they are born again (v18). This birth comes through the word of truth and leads to life everlasting, but it is impossible to muster up the strength and wisdom within you to cause your rebirth. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to work in you. Heed James’ advice in verse 5 and confidently ask your generous God for the faith to believe His Word. He is the source of every good and perfect gift (17), and the very source of spiritual life brought forth from His Word (18).

Trials are camouflaged gifts that produce the character traits of a faithful Christ follower. Always remember that Jesus is not just walking with you through trials, but he has prepared the way and suffered on your behalf, so you do not grow weary as you depend on Him. Proverbs 2 encourages the believer to accept God’s Word, to store up His commands, to call out for wisdom and understanding and search for it as if it were a hidden treasure of silver. Only then, do we find the knowledge of God. Search for His wisdom and the supernatural fruit of the Holy Spirit will align your heart with God’s purpose and plan for His glory.

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